Despite having a rather notorious subversive reputation primarily connected with fifth episode "Power of Darkness" I initially approached the three disc box set release of 1979 series "The Omega Factor" with a certain amount of trepidation when I bought it during 2005. Now almost thirty years on this rarely seen BBC ten-parter seems rather tame in comparison with contemporary shows like "The X-Files". With a three/three/four episode disc split these ten episodes run for about forty-seven to fifty minutes each with the approx twenty-five minute "Inside The Omega Factor" on disc one whilst an audio commentary option featuring Eric Davidson (Director), George Gallaccio (Producer) and Anthony Read (Writer) is presented for disc two's "Power of Darkness". Alongside the last four episodes you'll find a fourteen image photo gallery residing on the third disc. An appealing designed high quality slightly embossed slip case and gate fold disc mount also features an informative twenty-four page… more »

Despite having a rather notorious subversive reputation primarily connected with fifth episode "Power of Darkness" I initially approached the three disc box set release of 1979 series "The Omega Factor" with a certain amount of trepidation when I bought it during 2005. Now almost thirty years on this rarely seen BBC ten-parter seems rather tame in comparison with contemporary shows like "The X-Files". With a three/three/four episode disc split these ten episodes run for about forty-seven to fifty minutes each with the approx twenty-five minute "Inside The Omega Factor" on disc one whilst an audio commentary option featuring Eric Davidson (Director), George Gallaccio (Producer) and Anthony Read (Writer) is presented for disc two's "Power of Darkness". Alongside the last four episodes you'll find a fourteen image photo gallery residing on the third disc. An appealing designed high quality slightly embossed slip case and gate fold disc mount also features an informative twenty-four page colour viewing notes booklet written by film and television historian Marcus Hearn to complete the package.

As a BBC Scotland production there is some beautiful location filming including around Edinburgh and despite the occasionally eerie incidental music, effects and certain chilling sequences there is a slight cosy feeling prevalent. This is no doubt due to the close working/personal relationship between series leads Tom Crane and Anne Reynolds, and to a lesser extent Roy Martindale. James Hazeldene is a fine choice to portray Crane whom I thought has a slight passing resemblance to 'Blake's 7' actor Gareth Thomas. Louise Jameson slips easily into the role of his enquiring scientist colleague Anne and for fans of the actress best known as both Leela (Doctor Who) and Susan Young (Bergerac) this a worthy convincing third memorable cult television role. For me, the best of the bunch would probably be the sixth "Child's Play" and seventh "St Anthony's Fire" instalments but generally all episodes are not entirely without some element of merit.

A quirky oddball series which although tame by today's standards retains an element of unsettling story telling alongside the cosy familiarity of the leading characters.